Related Articles

"Biological methods of synthesizing materials are not new," said Melik C. Demirel, professor of engineering science and mechanics, Penn State. "What is new is the application of these principles to produce unique materials."

The researchers looked at proteins because they are the building blocks of biological materials and also often control sequencing, growth and self-assembly. RNA produced from the DNA in the cells is the template for biological proteins. Materials science practices allow researchers to characterize all aspects of how a material functions. Combining these three approaches allows rapid characterization of natural materials and the translation of their molecular designs into useable, unique materials.

"One problem with finding suitable biomimetic materials is that most of the genomes of model organisms have not yet been sequenced," said Demirel who is also a member of the Materials Research Institute and Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Penn State. "Also, the proteins that characterize these materials are notoriously difficult to solubilize and characterize."

The team, lead by Ali Miserez, assistant professor, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, looked at mollusk-derived tissues that had a wide range of high-performance properties including self-healing elastomeric membranes and protein-based polymers. They combined a variety of approaches including protein sequencing, amino acid composition and a complete RNA reference database for mass spectrometry analysis. They present their results in a recent issue of Nature Biotechnology.

The researchers looked at three model systems. The protein containing egg case membranes of a tropical marine snail are intriguing because they have unusual shock-absorbing qualities and elasticity. Investigation using the variety of methods showed this material has a coiled structure with crosslinking that absorbs energy. This information can be applied to biomimetic engineering of robust yet permeable coiled, protein-based membranes with precisely tailored mechanical properties.

The array of techniques applied toanalysis of a mussel foot showed that a species-to-species variation exists in mussel, including unusual variation in the protein. These variations suggest that protein engineering could produce a range of self-healing properties.

The final model used jumbo squid sucker ring teeth (SRT), grappling-hook-like structures used for predatory attacks. Analysis of the squid teeth showed nanotubular structure and strong polymers. While there was some similarity to silk and oyster shell matrix proteins, the protein was novel and the researchers named it Suckerin-39. Further analysis showed that Suckerin-39's structure allowed it to be reprocessed into a variety of shapes.

"While some biological materials have interesting properties, they cannot be reshaped or remolded because they do not soften upon heating," said Demirel. "The SRT is an elastomer, which is moldable, it is a thermoplastic and can be reshaped."

The materials properties of SRT do not change after heating and reshaping.

"We now know that nature can do all kinds of things including nanotubes, cross-linked structures and shock-absorbing coils," said Demirel. "Now that we know the secrets, we need to find ways to mimic the structures and do it inexpensively."

This may mean having bacteria produce the required proteins or some other biomimetic approach.

"Integrating these eco-friendly materials into devices for wetting, friction and transport is relatively straightforward and will constitute an important part of our future research," said Demirel.

Also working on this project from Penn State was Abdon Pena-Francesch,graduate student in engineering science and mechanics.

More From ScienceDaily

More Matter & Energy News

Featured Research

Mar. 31, 2015 — Landfills can make a profit from all their rotting waste and a new patent explains exactly how to make the most out of the stinky garbage sites. Decomposing trash produces methane, a landfill gas ... full story

Mar. 31, 2015 — Scientists have achieved an unprecedented level of control over defects in liquid crystals that can be engineered for applications in liquid matter photonics. Sitting with a joystick in the comfort ... full story

Mar. 30, 2015 — Neuroscientists are taking inspiration from natural motor control to design new prosthetic devices that can better replace limb function. Researchers have tested a range of brain-controlled devices ... full story

Mar. 30, 2015 — Speaking in public is the top fear for many people. Now, researchers have developed an intelligent user interface for 'smart glasses' that gives real-time feedback to the speaker on volume modulation ... full story

Mar. 30, 2015 — By studying the morphology and physiology of plants with tiny conical "hairs" or microfibers on the surface of their leaves, such as tomatoes, balsam pears and the flowers Berkheya purpea and Lychnis ... full story

Mar. 30, 2015 — In the first study of its kind, scientists quantitatively show that electric vehicles will meet the daily travel needs of drivers longer than commonly assumed. They found that batteries that have ... full story

Mar. 30, 2015 — As the demand for instant, constant communication grows, so too does the urgency for more convenient portable devices -- especially computer displays that can be easily rolled up and stored or ... full story

Mar. 30, 2015 — There are electrical signals in the nervous system, the brain and throughout the human body and there are tiny magnetic fields associated with these signals that could be important for medical ... full story

Mar. 30, 2015 — Scientists have developed tiny 'nanoneedles' that have successfully prompted parts of the body to generate new blood vessels, in a trial in mice. The researchers hope their nanoneedle technique could ... full story

Bionic Ants Could Be Tomorrow's Factory Workers

Reuters - Innovations Video Online (Mar. 30, 2015) — Industrious 3D printed bionic ants working together could toil in the factories of the future, says German technology company Festo. The robotic insects cooperate and coordinate their actions and movements to achieve a common aim. Amy Pollock reports.
Video provided by Reuters

Related Stories

Mar. 16, 2015 — A comprehensive online repository of information on policies, activities and data related to the European raw materials sector has been launched online. The repository supports a series of European ... full story

Dec. 11, 2014 — A team of researchers has found that stacking materials that are only one atom thick can create semiconductor junctions that transfer charge efficiently, regardless of whether the crystalline ... full story

Mar. 21, 2014 — Researchers have developed microstructured lightweight construction materials of highest stability. Although their density is below that of water, their stability relative to their weight exceeds ... full story

ScienceDaily features breaking news and videos about the latest discoveries in health, technology, the environment, and more -- from major news services and leading universities, scientific journals, and research organizations.